The Many Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide

By Dr. David G. Williams

http://educate-yourself.org/cancer/benefitsofhydrogenperozide17jul03.shtml
Posted July 17, 2003
(Original title: Hydrogen Peroxide - Curse or Cure?)
When it comes to hydrogen peroxide therapy there seems to be only two points of
view. Supporters consider it one of the greatest healing miracles of all time. T
hose opposed feel its ingestion is exceptionally dangerous, and only the foolhar
dy could think of engaging in such behavior. Before either condemning or endorsi
ng hydrogen peroxide, let's take a real close look at what we're dealing with.
If any substance is interesting, it's hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide shoul
d really be called hydrogen dioxide. Its chemical formula is H2O2. It contains o
ne more atom of oxygen that does water (H20). By now everyone's aware of the ozo
ne layer that surrounds the earth. Ozone consists of three atoms of oxygen (03).
This protective layer of ozone is created when ultraviolet light from the sun s
plits an atmospheric oxygen molecule (02) into two single, unstable oxygen atoms
. These single molecules combine with others to form ozone (03). Ozone isn't ver
y stable. In fact, it will quickly give up that extra atom of oxygen to falling
rainwater to form hydrogen peroxide (H202). (Bear with me: all this chemistry mu
mbo jumbo I'm going through actually will help you understand the importance of
hydrogen peroxide.)
Helps Plants
It is this hydrogen peroxide in rainwater that makes it so much more effective t
han tap water when given to plants. With the increased levels of atmospheric pol
lution, however, greater amounts of H202 react with air-borne toxins and never r
each the ground. To compensate for this, many farmers have been increasing crop
yields by spraying them with diluted hydrogen peroxide (5 to 16 ounces of 35% mi
xed with 20 gallons of water per acre). You can achieve the same beneficial effe
ct with your house plants by adding 1 ounce of 3% hydrogen peroxide (or 16 drops
of 35% solution) to every quart of water you give your plants. (It can also be
made into an excellent safe insecticide. Simply spray your plants with 8 ounces
of 3% peroxide mixed with 8 ounces of white sugar and one gallon of water.)
Hydrogen peroxide is odorless and colorless, but not tasteless. When stored unde
r the proper conditions, it is a very stable compound. When kept in the absence
of light and contaminants, it dismutates (breaks down) very slowly at the rate o
f about 10% a year. (This can be slowed even further by storing the liquid in th
e freezer.) It boils at 152 degrees C and freezes at minus 2 degrees C.
When exposed to other compounds hydrogen peroxide dismutates readily. The extra
oxygen atom is released leaving H20 (water). In nature oxygen (02) consists of t
wo atoms--a very stable combination. A single atom of oxygen, however, is very r
eactive and is referred to as a free radical. Over the past several years, we've
continually read that these free radicals are responsible for all types of ailm
ents and even premature aging. What many writers seem to forget, however, is tha
t our bodies create and use free radicals to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses,
and fungi. In fact, the cells responsible for fighting infection and foreign inv
aders in the body (your white blood cells) make hydrogen peroxide and use it to
oxidize any offending culprits. The intense bubbling you see when hydrogen perox
ide comes in contact with a bacteria-laden cut or wound is the oxygen being rele
ased and bacteria being destroyed. The ability of our cells to produce hydrogen
peroxide is essential for life. H202 is not some undesirable by-product or toxin
, but instead a basic requirement for good health.
Newer research indicates we need hydrogen peroxide for a multitude of other chem

ical reactions that take place throughout the body. For example, we now know tha
t vitamin C helps fight infections by producing hydrogen peroxide, which in turn
stimulates the production of prostaglandins. Also lactobacillus found in the co
lon and vagina produce hydrogen peroxide. This destroys harmful bacteria and vir
uses, preventing colon disease, vaginitis, bladder infections and a host of othe
r common ailments. (Infect Dis News Aug.8,91:5). When lactobacillus in the colon
or vaginal tract have been overrun with harmful viruses, yeast, or bacteria, an
effective douche or enema solution can be made using 3 tablespoons of 3% H202 i
n 1 quart of distilled water. Keep in mind, however, that a good bacterial flora
must always be re-established in theses areas to achieve lasting results.
Aerobic versus Anerobic
While we are discussing enemas and douches, there is another misconception about
H202 I need to address. The friendly bacteria in the colon and vagina are aerob
ic. In other words, they flourish in high oxygen environments and thrive in the
presence of oxygen rich H202. On the other hand, most strains of harmful bacteri
a (and cancer cells) are anaerobic and cannot survive in the presence of oxygen
or H202. We can agree that hydrogen peroxide produced within individual body cel
ls is essential for life. And no one doubts its effectiveness when it comes to t
reating infections topically. The controversy deals with ingesting the substance
orally or introducing it into the body intravenously. The dispute has been goin
g on for decades, and considering the attitude of our medical community, it will
continue for many more decades to come.
I'll admit I was skeptical when I first learned about using H202 orally or intra
venously. This healthy dose of skepticism, however, lead to a great deal of inve
stigation, clinical work and experimentation. And while I realize a large majori
ty of readers will probably never be convinced that H202 is a safe and effective
compound, I am. Hydrogen peroxide is safe, readily available and dirt cheap. An
d best of all, it works! No one yet fully understands the complete workings of h
ydrogen peroxide. We do know that it is loaded with oxygen. (A pint of the foodgrade 35% solution contains the equivalent of 130 pints of oxygen. A pint of 3%
hydrogen peroxide found at the local drugstore contains 10 pints of oxygen. And
a pint of the 6% solution used to bleach hair contains 20 pints of oxygen.) We a
lso know that when H202 is taken into the body (orally or intravenously) the oxy
gen content of the blood and body tissues increases dramatically. Early research
ers felt these increases were simply due to the extra oxygen molecule being rele
ased. This doesn't however, appear to be the case.
Only very diluted amounts of H202 are ever introduced into the body. The small a
mount of oxygen present couldn't be solely responsible for the dramatic changes
that take place. Dr. Charles Farr, a strong proponent of intravenous use, has di
scovered another possible answer. Dr. Farr has shown that hydrogen peroxide stim
ulates enzyme systems throughout the body. This triggers an increase in the meta
bolic rate, causes small arteries to dilate and increase blood flow, enhances th
e body's distribution and consumption of oxygen and raises body temperature (Pro
ceedings of the International Conference on Bio-Oxidative Medicine 1989, 1990, 1
991).
Father Richard Willhelm
We are just beginning to learn exactly how H202 works. It was reported to work a
s far back as 1920. The English medical journal, Lancet, then reported that intr
avenous infusion was used successfully to treat pneumonia in the epidemic follow
ing World War I. In the 1940's Father Richard Willhelm, the pioneer in promoting
peroxide use, reported on the compound being used extensively to treat everythi
ng from bacterial-related mental illness to skin disease and polio. Father Willh
elm is the founder of "Educational Concern for Hydrogen Peroxide" (ECHO, a nonpr
ofit organization dedicated to educating the public on the safe use and therapeu
tic benefits of hydrogen peroxide.) Much of the interest in hydrogen peroxide wa
ned in the 1940's when prescription medications came on the scene. Since that ti

me there has been little economic interest in funding peroxide research. After a
ll, it is dirt cheap and non-patentable. Even still, in the last 25 years, over
7,700 articles relating to hydrogen peroxide have been written in the standard m
edical journals. Thousands more, involving its therapeutic use, have appeared in
alternative health publications. The number of conditions helped by hydrogen pe
roxide is astounding. The reported dangers and side effects are few and often co
nflicting.
Emphysema
Let's look at several conditions that seem to respond especially well to H202 th
erapy. First, keep in mind that there are two methods of administering the perox
ide-1) orally and 2) intravenously. While most conditions respond remarkably to
oral ingestion, emphysema is one condition in which intravenous infusion can be
a godsend. Emphysema involves destruction of the alveoli (the small air sacs in
the lungs). Although chemical fumes and other irritants can cause the destructio
n, it is most often the result of smoking. As the disease progresses, the patien
t finds it more and more difficult to breathe. A wheel chair and supplemental ox
ygen become necessary as the disease progresses. Lack of adequate oxygen reachin
g the tissues forces the heart to pump more forcefully. This leads to high blood
pressure, enlargement of the heart itself and eventually heart failure. Convent
ional medicine offers little help for emphysema. There is no cure. The best that
can be hoped for is symptomatic relief and the prevention of any serious compli
cations that might result in death. H202 therapy can offer more. Using 1 ounce o
f 35% peroxide per 1 gallon of non-chlorinated water in a vaporizer improves nig
httime breathing tremendously. But intravenous infusion holds the real key to re
lief. It has the ability to cleanse the inner lining of the lungs and restore th
e ability to breathe.
We continue to hear the same story from Dr. Farr and others who use intravenous
infusion for emphysema and congestive lung problems. Within minutes oxygen from
hydrogen peroxide begins to bubble up between the membrane lining the lungs sacs
and the accumulated mucus. (Dr. Farr refers to this as the "Alka-Seltzer effect
.") The patient begins to cough and expel the material that has accumulated in t
he lungs. The amount of bubbling, coughing, and cleansing can be regulated by si
mply turning the H202 on and off. As the peroxide clears the lung surface and de
stroys the bacterial infections, the patient regains the ability to breath more
normally. We continue to receive reports from patients for whom the technique ha
s improved breathing so much that a wheelchair and supplemental oxygen are no lo
nger needed. If you would like to find a doctor in your area trained in the use
of intravenous H202 infusion, contact the International Bio-Oxidative Medicine F
oundation (IBOM), P.O. Box 13205, Oklahoma City, OK 73113 at (405) 478-4266. The
y can provide names and addresses of doctors using the procedure in your area.
If emphysema were the only ailment successfully treated with H202 therapy, it wo
uld still rank as one of the top health discoveries of all time. Fortunately, H2
02 works wonders on a multitude of health problems. It does so by increasing tis
sue oxygen levels. A closer look at how we have decreased the availability of ex
ternal and internal oxygen, will show you just how important this can be. If you
were not too occupied with trying to hide dissection specimens in the other stu
dent's desks, you might remember from elementary science courses that our atmosp
here contains about 20% oxygen. That is under ideal circumstances. It has recent
ly been reported that in many of our more polluted cities, there levels have dro
pped to around 10%! (I have already mentioned how less hydrogen peroxide-contain
ing rain is reaching the earth's surface. With increased pollution it is reactin
g with airborne toxins before it even reaches the ground.) And everyone, by now,
knows the oxygen-generating rain forests are being destroyed worldwide, which f
urther reduces available oxygen. Internal oxygen availability is also under atta
ck.
Chlorination of drinking water removes oxygen. Cooking and over-processing of ou

r foods lowers their oxygen content. Unrestrained antibiotic use destroys benefi
cial oxygen-creating bacteria in the intestinal tract. Dr. Johanna Budwig of Ger
many has shown that for proper cellular utilization of oxygen to take place, our
diets must contain adequate amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. Unfortunately,
the oils rich in these fatty acids have become less and less popular with the fo
od industry. Their very nature makes them more biologically active, which requir
es more careful processing and gives them a shorter shelf-life. Rather than deal
with these challenges, the food industry has turned to the use of synthetic fat
s and dangerous processes like hydrogenation.
It's obvious that our oxygen needs are not being met. Several of the most common
ailments now affecting our population are directly related to oxygen starvation
. Asthma, emphysema, and lung disease are on the rise, especially in the pollute
d metropolitan areas. Cases of constipation, diarrhea, intestinal parasites and
bowel cancer are all on the upswing. Periodontal disease is endemic in the adult
population of this country. Cancer of all forms continues to increase. Immune s
ystem disorders are sweeping the globe. Chronic fatigue, "Yuppie Flu" and hundre
ds of other strange viral diseases have begun to surface. Ironically, many of th
e new "miracle" drugs and nutritional supplements used to treat these conditions
work by increasing cellular oxygen (oftentimes through H202 formation). For exa
mple, the miracle nutrient, Coenzyme Q10, helps regulate intercellular oxidation
. Organic germanium, which received considerable publicity not too long ago, als
o increases oxygen levels at the cellular level. And even substances like niacin
and vitamin E promote tissue oxidation through their dilation of blood vessels.
Hydrogen peroxide is only one of the many components that help regulate the amou
nt of oxygen getting to your cells. Its presence is vital for many other functio
ns as well. It is required for the production of thyroid hormone and sexual horm
ones. (Mol Cell Endocrinol 86;46(2): 149-154) (Steroids 82;40(5):5690579). It st
imulates the production of interferon (J Immunol 85;134(4):24492455). It dilates
blood vessels in the heart and brain (Am J Physiol 86;250 (5 pt 2): H815-821 an
d (2 pt 2):H157-162). It improves glucose utilization in diabetics (Proceedings
of the IBOM Conference 1989, 1990, 1991). The closer you look at hydrogen peroxi
de, the less surprising it becomes that it can help such a wide variety of condi
tions.
The following is only a partial listing of conditions in which H202 therapy has
been used successfully. (Many of these conditions are serious, if not life-threa
tening. As always, I would highly recommend seeking the advice and guidance of a
doctor experienced in the use of these techniques.)
Allergies Headaches
Altitude Sickness Herpes Simplex
Alzheimer's Herpes Zoster
Anemia HIV Infection
Arrhythmia Influenza
Asthma Insect Bites
Bacterial Infections Liver Cirrhosis
Bronchitis Lupus Erythematosis
Cancer Multiple Sclerosis
Candida Parasitic Infections
Cardiovascular Disease Parkinsonism
Cerebral Vascular Disease Periodontal Disease
Chronic Pain Prostatitis
Diabetes Type 11 Rheumatoid Arthritis
Diabetic Gangrene Shingles
Diabetic Retinopahty Sinusitis
Digestion Problems Sore Throat
Epstein-Barr Infection Ulcers
Emphysema Viral Infections

Food Allergies Warts

Fungal Infections Yeast Infections
Gingivitis
Grades of Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is available in various strengths and grades.
A) 3.5% Pharmaceutical Grade: This is the grade sold at your local drugstore or
supermarket. This product is not recommended for internal use. It contains an as
sortment of stabilizers which shouldn't be ingested. Various stabilizers include
: acetanilide, phenol, sodium stanate and tertrasodium phosphate.
B) 6% Beautician Grade: This is used in beauty shops to color hair and is not re
commended for internal use.
C) 30% Reagent Grade: This is used for various scientific experimentation and al
so contains stabilizers. It is also not for internal use.
D) 30% to 32% Electronic Grade: This is used to clean electronic parts and not f
or internal use.
E) 35% Technical Grade: This is a more concentrated product than the Reagent Gra
de and differs slightly in that phosphorus is added to help neutralize any chlor
ine from the water used to dilute it.
F) 35% Food Grade: This is used in the production of foods like cheese, eggs, an
d whey-containing products. It is also sprayed on the foil lining of aseptic pac
kages containing fruit juices and milk products. THIS IS THE ONLY GRADE RECOMMEN
DED FOR INTERNAL USE. It is available in pints, quarts, gallons or even drums. V
arious suppliers are mentioned later in this article.
G) 90%: This is used as an oxygen source for rocket fuel.
Only 35% Food Grade hydrogen peroxide is recommended for internal use. At this c
oncentration, however, hydrogen peroxide is a very strong oxidizer and if not di
luted, it can be extremely dangerous or even fatal. Any concentrations over 10%
can cause neurological reactions and damage to the upper gastrointestinal tract.
There have been two known fatalities in children who ingested 27% and 40% conce
ntrations of H202. Recently, a 26 month old female swallowed one mouthful of 35%
H202. She immediately began vomiting, followed by fainting and respiratory arre
st. Fortunately, she was under emergency room care and although she experienced
erosion and bleeding of the stomach and esophagus, she survived the incident. Wh
en she was re-examined 12 days later, the areas involved had healed (J Toxicol C
lin Toxicol 90;28(1):95-100).
35% Food Grade H202 must be
1) handled carefully (direct contact will burn the skin--immediate flushing with
water is recommended).
2) diluted properly before use. 3) stored safely and properly (after making a di
lution the remainder should be stored tightly sealed in the freezer).
One of the most convenient methods of dispensing 35% H202 is from a small glass
eye dropper bottle. These can be purchased at your local drugstore. Fill this wi
th the 35% H202 and store the larger container in the freezer compartment of you
r refrigerator until more is needed. Store the eye dropper bottle in the refrige
rator. The generally recommended dosage is outlined in the chart below. The drop
s are mixed with either 6 to 8 ounces of distilled water, juice, milk or even al
oe vera juice or gel. (Don't use chlorinated tap water to dilute the peroxide!)

Suggested Protocol
The program outlined is only a suggestion, but it is based on years of experienc
e, and reports from thousands of users. Those who choose to go at a slower pace
can expect to progress more slowly, but that certainly is an option. The program
is not carved in stone and keep in mind that it can be adapted to fit individua
l needs. Individuals who have had transplants should not undertake an H202 progr
am. H202 stimulates the immune system and could possibly cause a rejection of th
e organ.
Day # -Number of Drops/ Times Per Day
1 - 3 / 3
2 - 4 / 3
3 - 5 / 3
4 - 6 / 3
5 - 7 / 3
6 - 8 / 3
7 - 9 / 3
8 - 10 / 3
9 - 12 / 3
10 - 14 / 3
11 - 16 / 3
12 - 18 / 3
13 - 20 / 3
14 - 22 / 3
15 - 24 / 3
16 - 25 / 3
Maintenance Dosage
In most situations after the above 21 day program, the amount of H202 can be tap
ered off gradually as follows:
25 drops once every other day for 1 week
25 drops once every third day for 2 weeks
25 drops once every fourth day for 3 weeks
This can then be reduced to between 5 and 15 drops per week based on how one fee
ls. Those with more serious problems will often benefit from staying on 25 drops
three times a day for one to three weeks, then tapering down to 25 drops two ti
mes daily until the problem is resolved (possibly as long as six months). Those
with chronic systemic Candidiasis may need to start with 1 drop three times a da
y, then 2 drops three times a day before starting the above schedule. It is impo
rtant that H202 be taken on an empty stomach. This is best accomplished by takin
g it either one hour before meals or three hours after meals. If there is food i
n the stomach, the reaction of H202 on any bacteria present may cause excess foa
ming, indigestion, and possibly even vomiting. Additionally, some animal researc
h indicates that when H202 given orally combines with iron and small amounts of
vitamin C in the stomach, hydroxyl radicals are created (J Inorg Biochem 89;35(1
):55-69). The bleach-like aftertaste of H202 can be lessened by chewing one of t
he sugar-free cinnamon gums. Some individuals taking H202 immediately before bed
time have a difficult time getting to sleep. This is probably due to a sense of
alertness triggered by an increase of oxygen at the cellular level. The oral dos
age schedule is basically the same for all conditions. There are several points
to keep in mind, however.
Some individuals may experience upset stomach. If this occurs it is recommended
that one not stop the program, but rather remain at the current dosage level or
reduce it to the previous level until the problem stops. (Some patients have bee
n able to solve the nausea problem by taking three or four lecithin capsules at
the same time they take the H202.) During the program it's not uncommon to exper
ience what is known as a healing crisis. As dead bacteria and toxins are release

d from your body it may temporarily exceed your capacity to eliminate them quick
ly enough. In some individuals this overload may cause fatigue, diarrhea, headac
hes, skin eruptions, cold or flu-like symptoms, and/or nausea. One should not di
scontinue using the peroxide to stop this cleansing. By continuing the program,
toxins will clear the body sooner and this healing crisis will pass rather quick
ly.
If you are not already taking vitamin E and
starting them before going on H202. Vitamin
oxygen available and acidophilus will help
l flora in the lower bowel and also help in
peroxide.

an acidophilus product, I recommend

E can make more efficient use of any
re-establish the beneficial bacteria
the internal production of hydrogen

Making and Using 3% Solutions of H202

A 3.5% solution can be made quite easily by first pouring 1 ounce of 35% H202 in
to a pint jar. To this add 11 ounces of distilled water. This will make 12 ounce
s of 3.5% H202. 3.5% H202 has a variety of medicinal uses.
1. Three tablespoons mixed with a quart of non-chlorinated water makes a good en
ema or douche formula.
2. It can be used full strength as a mouthwash or mixed with baking soda for too
thpaste.
3. It can be used full strength as a foot bath for athlete's foot. (Diabetics ha
ve found relief from circulation problems by soaking their feet in 1 pint of 3%
peroxide mixed with 1 gallon of warm, non-chlorinated water for 30 minutes night
ly.)
4. A tablespoon added to 1 cup of non-chlorinated water can be used as a nasal s
pray. Depending on the degree of sinus involvement, one will have to adjust the
amount of peroxide used. I have seen some who can use it at the full 3% strength
and others who had difficulty with using a few drops and mixed with a cup of wa
ter.
5. 3.5% H202 can be added to pets drinking water at the rate of 1 ounce per quar
t of non-chlorinated water. Sick cattle reportedly benefit from 1 pint (of 3%) t
o each 5 gallons of water. (Chickens and cows have remained healthy by using 8 o
unces of 35% H202 per 1,000 gallons of drinking water.)
Additional Information
There are two sources you should contact if you have an interest in using hydrog
en peroxide therapy. The first, ECHO, was founded by Father Richard Willhelm and
is run by Walter Grotz. Their information packet includes a sample newsletter,
a list of H202 distributors and several other items. The packet is being made av
ailable to interested ALTERNATIVES readers for only $3. Their address is
ECHO Box 126
Delano, MN 55328
If you have an interest in contacting doctors who provide intravenous hydrogen p
eroxide therapy you can write to the International Bio-Oxidative Medicine Founda
tion (IBOM) at the address listed earlier in this article. You should also be aw
are that there are now numerous hydrogen peroxide products on the market. Some a
re simply peroxide that has been flavored and mixed with sea minerals, aloe vera
, inner tree bark or other ingredients to make the peroxide more palatable (Supe
roxy, Oxy Toddy, etc.).
Others claim to have developed products that deliver more oxygen than does simpl
e hydrogen peroxide (Aerox, Anti-Oxid-10, Di-Oxychloride, Aerobic 07, Aqua Pure,
etc.). Basically you'll end up paying a small fortune and at best achieving the
same results you can get for pennies by using hydrogen peroxide.

Conclusion
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the few simple miracle substances still available to
the public. Its safety and multiple uses ranks it right up there with DMSO. If
you've never used either of these compounds you are overlooking two of the most
powerful healing tools ever discovered. Most of us started on hydrogen peroxide
shortly after birth. Not only does mother's milk contain high amounts of H202, t
he amount contained in the first milk (colostrum) is even higher. This seems onl
y reasonable now that we know one of its main functions is to activate and stimu
late the immune system. Although I am a strong supporter of H202 therapy, I am n
ot suggesting that everyone needs to be using it. There are probably some indivi
duals whose health and well-being would not be enhanced with hydrogen peroxide.
But there are also millions of others who are suffering needlessly because they
either do not know about hydrogen peroxide or they have been misinformed about i
ts use.
~ Afterword ~
The above copyrighted article has been reprinted with permission from Mountain H
ouse Publishing, P.O. Box 829, Ingram, TX 78025. It appeared in a recent issue o
f the health newsletter, ALTERNATIVES ($39.00/yr. 12 issues). Subscription infor
mation and/or a sample issue can be obtained by writing to the above address.
Source: Family Health News